A SCHOOLBOY received the surprise of a lifetime this week when his favourite rugby union player walked into his classroom.

Jack Lewis, aged 11, was in a lesson at Winscombe Primary School on Tuesday when Bath Rugby and England star George Ford arrived to deliver the news that he had been selected as a mascot for the 2015 World Cup.

The Winscombe Rugby Football Club Under-11s player had auditioned for the role by singing the English national anthem to camera at the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup last October.

He said: “I was in class at the time and when the headteacher came in I thought I was in trouble to start with, but then I saw George Ford.

“He gave me a Rugby World Cup 2015 ball with his signature on, and I just thought it was a present as I was at Bath’s game last week and his autograph was the only one I didn’t manage to get.

“But then he told me I had been picked. He’s my favourite Bath player so I was so pleased to meet him.

“I don’t think I can sing really well but at the end I apologised to my dad as he is Welsh and I’d sung the English anthem.

“I support England though; I think they can do really well at the Rugby World Cup. I just hope that I don’t trip up or anything when I run on.”

Bath fly-half Ford admitted that days such as Tuesday were invaluable for helping to promote rugby at all levels.

He said: “It is a big responsibility for Jack but I think he will do a great job. He seems like a confident young man, he’s friendly and he will take it very seriously.”